Sarah Kate Wilson, Friskleesque, 2011
Painting without Paint
an exhibition
Curated by ArtSmacked
Private view:
Thursday, 2 February 6-8 pm
Exhibition runs from 3-10 February 2012
Opening hours: 3-5 Feb, 12-5pm
6-10 Feb by appointment
Apiary Gallery
458 Hackney Road
London E2 9EG
Press Release:
In his book, What Painting Is, esteemed art historian James Elkins describes painting both as an object and as an alchemical process in which “materials are worked without knowledge of their properties, by blind experiment, by the feel of the paint.” For example, he compares the paintings of Claude Monet to “a single minded pursuit of the grain and feel of light” and as “a method for fixing light onto a canvas.”
Painting without Paint is a thematic group exhibition that explores the painterly practices of emerging contemporary artists who through their alchemical pursuits define ‘painting’ on their own terms. Exhibiting artists either ‘paint’ with materials other than actual paint or use paint to create works that we would not naturally define as ‘painting.’ Overall, the show aims to challenge the way in which we think about painting and question the nature of the medium itself by contrasting a range of works that contradict traditional ideals.
Elkins’ attempt to define painting both as an object and as a process is technically practical but theoretically the posed question, ‘What is painting?’ has stimulated debate throughout history.
Modern artists have consistently deconstructed our notion of the conventions of painting. It is in their range of responses that we can begin to understand the enormity of the question. Painting without Paint takes its inspiration from notable artists such as Frank Bowling who incorporates found objects into his paintings creating a textural effect that teeters on the edge of painting and [relief] sculpture; Louise Bourgeois who substituted fabric for paint in works that exude the intimate relationship between artist and “canvas”; and filmmaker David Lynch’s pre- Blue Velvet days when as an art student he created ‘Film Paintings’ by projecting film onto a blank canvas so as to “make a painting that moved.” Perhaps, one of the most ironic responses to the provoking question is John Baldessari’s, What is Painting, depicting only a few sentences of painted text on canvas which controversially and humorously challenges perceptions of what constitutes a painting.
Considering trends in current art practices, Painting without Paint aims to form a dialogue about painting through a common language using colour, pattern, texture and light effects as its symbols. Highlighting diverse creative processes, the exhibition invites comparisons between individual works and overall painterly relationships throughout the show.
Featuring an international line-up of emerging London-based artists, the show will include a range of works from painting, sculpture, mixed media and craftwork to photography video, design and installation. For biographies and a preview video including samples of work by featured artists, please visit: artsmacked.com/exhibitions.
Artists
Lewis John Brooks (England) Painting/Sculpture
Bel Lefosse (Brazil) Installation
Christabel Lindner (Canada) Video, Mixed Media
Bill Millett (Scotland) Photography
Sujata Sengupta (India) Design
Emily Spence (USA) Fabric Design
Sorcha-Mae Stott-Strzala (England) Video
Nataliia Taranukha (Ukraine) Painting/Sculpture
Sarah Kate Wilson (England) Mixed Media
Masaki Yada (Japan) Painting
-Ends-
Notes to Editors
For further information, sales enquiries and images please contact:
ArtSmacked Curator, Stephanie Cotela Tanner, artsmacked@gmail.com
Painting without Paint is curated by Stephanie Cotela Tanner, a freelance art historian and curator. She is the editor of ArtSmacked.com, which features daily commentary, issues and debates on international art news as well as services such as museum/gallery tours, lectures and tutoring. She has extensive experience in the art world in both the US and UK having held positions in San Diego, New York and London.
About the Gallery
Apiary is formed from the shell of a bygone pickle factory and located in the heart of London’s East End, Apiary Studios offers photographic studios, performance and rehearsal spaces, gallery space, shared and individual office, opportunities for creative projects, private event hire. We are a young organisation dedicated to promoting collaboration and cross-pollination in the arts. Our facilities are used by a creative community from various practices and backgrounds, both commercial and non-profit – our commercial income allows us to continue the development of our once derelict building as a site and incubator for artistic and community programmes.
To read more about this exhibition click here.
Visit Momardi.com to read interview with curator.
To view a video clip of images visit Exhibitions.
© 2012, ArtSmacked. All rights reserved.
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It seems rather odd that digital painting appears to be missing from the lineup. Especially given that it likely contains the largest number of artists painting without paint. Perhaps an exhibition “Painting with Electrons” is due?
I wouldn’t say that digital art is ‘missing’ from the show. The very nature of the show’s concept is to examine non-traditional art practises. If the ‘largest number of artists’ are using digital media to ‘paint’ then I want to see what everyone else is doing. I think that’s what makes this show so interesting.